Wall structure for buildings



Jan. 31, 1956 R. T. RAY 2,732,705

WALL STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS Filed Sept. 3, 1954 ATTORNEY-5' United States Patent "WALL STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS Robert T. Ray, Albany, Ga. Application September 3, 1954,.Serial No. 454,040

7 Claims. (CI. 72-24) This invention relates to the art of buildings, and more particularly to a wall structure which may be utilized either with -a conventional frame building or with a building constructed of suitable structural steel or other structural members. The invention also particularly relates to the attachment of blocks, tiles or panels to the exterior surface of the building wall to provide a permanent structure.

Heretofore, wall structures have been developed and utilized which were intended to facilitate the attachment of blocks, tiles or panels to the exterior surface of the wall, but in the main, the attaching means utilized for this purpose constituted resilient clips or equivalent means which did not, in and of themselves, provide a permanent and secure fastening means for the blocks, tiles or panels, but were merely utilized as a temporary holding means to retain such blocks, tiles or panels in place prior to filling the joints with mortar or other suitable material to provide a permanent structure. Consequently, in these prior art structures the mortar joints constituted the primary securing means, and upon deterioration of such mortar as a result of weathering or for other reasons, in many instances the blocks, tiles or panels frequently became loose, resulting in leakage of water or moisture and .a consequent unsightly appearance, both externally and internally of the building. Furthermore, these prior art structures were not, in general, adapted to use with both frame buildings and metallic ibuilding structures, but were designed for use with one or the other and also these prior art structures did not materially contribute to a reduction in cost of the building in which the same we e utilized.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide wall structure for buildings, which permits the application and permanent securement of blocks, tiles or panels to the exterior surface of the building, whether such buildings be of conventional wood frame construction or a metallic building structure.

A further object of the invention '18 the provision of wall structure for buildings, which structure provides fastening means permanently secured thereto for attaching blocks, tiles or panels to the Wall, which fastening means permanently secures such blocks, tiles or panels in place without necessitating the use of mortar or other joints for suchattaching purposes.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of wall structure for buildings, in which securing means for blocks, tiles or panels is provided, and in which such securing means materially facilitates assembly of the blocks, tiles or panels on the outer surface of the wall and provides a permanent fastening means therefor, and also provides a metallic reinforcement for a mortar or other joint between the blocks, tiles or panels.

Another object of the invention is the provision of wall structure for buildings, in which a base comprising insulating board and waterproof felt may be utilized, to the exterior surface of which is applied the blocks, tiles or panels, in order to present a pleasing appearance and 5 and economically fabricated from readily available mamany such boards readily available.

terials and which materially facilitates erection of the building, thereby contributing :to reduced costs of construction.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of wall structure for buildings, which structure includes the provision of securing means for attaching .blocks, tiles or panels in place on the exterior surface of the wall and in which such securing means may be conveniently and economically fabricated by relatively simple stamping and cutting operations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of wall structure for buildings, which may be erected without the use of highly skilled labor, thereby materially reducing the costs of construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein the single figure is a fragmentary View in perspective showing a building wall constructed in accordance with this invention and with certain parts omitted, and other parts broken away and in section, for greater clarity.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown a wall structure which may well include the conventional studding 11' which in accordance with well known methods of construction, may comprise spaced, vertically disposed members of wood, metal or other suitable material, to the outer edges of which may be secured suitable insulating board 11 of any desired thickness and formed of any desired material, there being To the outer surface of insulating board 11 there is applied a waterproof layer of felt or other suitable material, such as tar paper or building paper 12, and it will be apparent that the structure just described provides a wall having both heat resistant or insulating qualities and, likewise, one which is substantially waterand moisture-proof. However, the wall structure .just described does not present a pleasing outward appearance, andconsequently, this invention contemplates the provision of means for conveniently and permanently securing to the outer surface of the wall portion of three of such blocks, tiles, or panels in the drawing.

For convenience in description, the blocks, tiles xor panels '13 will hereinafter be referred to as blocks, as will be seen from the drawing, the sameare preferably square or rectangular, but if desired the same may be formed in other shapes to present a particular, desired outward appearance. The blocks 13 may be pre-cast of concrete or ceramic tile, or if desired, may be made of wood or any other suitable material, and as will be seen from the drawing, such 'blocks are relatively thin as compared to the width and length dimensions, and are provided on each edge with an inwardly extending groove 14 substantially midway of the thickness thereof. The edge of the block 13 below the groove 14 is formed with an 'outwardly inclined surface 15, and the edge of the block above the groove 14 is provided with a substantially straight, fiat surface 16 disposed inwardly of the lower edge 17 of the block. It will thus be seen that with the lower edges 17 of adjacent blocks disposed in relatively close proximity to each other, that the upper edge surfaces 16 will be spaced apart a substantial distance to provide a relatively Wide groove, and the purpose of such groove will be presently described.

It is assumed that the wall structure comprising the 3 studding 10, the insulating boards 11, and the felt or paper layer 12, will be first installed and that thereafter it is desired to cover this wall structure with a suitable number of blocks 13. Means is provided by this invention to both facilitate application of the blocks 13 to the wall structure, and to securely hold these blocks in place thereon regardless of Whether or not mortar or other joints are provided therebetween. It is contemplated that application of the blocks 13 to the wall structure will commence adjacent the bottom edge of such wall structure, and consequently a base strip 18 is provided which may well comprise an elongated, flat metal strip 19, having apertures 20 therein, to facilitate the attachment of the strip 19 to the insulating board 11 by nails, screw-threaded fastening means, or in any other desired manner. The strip 19 is provided along the lower edge thereof with spaced tabs 21 projecting outwardly at substantially right angles to the strip 19, the outwardly projecting portion 22 of the tabs 21 having a length substantially equal to the width of the inclined face 15 on the edges of blocks 13. The tabs 21 at the outer ends thereof are provided with inwardly directed flanges 23 disposed in a proper manner to enter the grooves 14 in the edges of the blocks 13.

As will be seen from an inspection of the drawing, the lower course of blocks 13 is applied to the wall of the building in firm engagement with the felt or paper layer 12, and with the flanges 23 of the tabs 21 engaging in the grooves 14 in the lower edges of the blocks 13, and with the lower edge 17 of the blocks 13 engaging the inner surface of the outwardly extending portion 22 of the tabs 21 to firmly support the blocks 13 in place. Obviously, engagement of the flanges 23 in the groove 14 will prevent outward movement of the blocks 13 away from the surface of the wall.

Since obviously it is necessary to secure the blocks 13 in place entirely around the periphery of each block, means is provided for accomplishing this purpose and this means may well comprise a plurality of elongated securing strips 24 disposed in the joints between adjacent blocks, as clearly shown in the drawing. Each securing strip 24 may well comprise an elongated, relatively flat strip 25 provided with spaced apertures 26 for facilitating the attachment thereof to the insulating board 11, and obviously nails, screw-threaded fastening means, or any other suitable attaching means may be utilized to firmly secure the strips 24 in place. As will be seen, the strip 25 is provided at one edge thereof with a plurality of tabs 27 projecting at substantially right angles to the strip 25, these tabs 27 being formed by spaced slits in the edge of the strip 25. Each tab 27 is twisted in the same direction to provide oppositely disposed and outwardly projecting tongues 28 and 29, and the lower surface 30 of each of the tongues 28 and 29 is inclined at substantially the same angle as the inclined surface 15 on the edges of blocks 13. The length of the tabs 27 is such that the upper edges 31 thereof terminate at, or slightly below, the groove 14 in the edges of blocks 13, thereby leaving the groove formed by the opposed surfaces 16 of the blocks 13 free of any projections.

As will be seen from the drawing, upon completing the lower course of blocks 13, the strip 24 is secured in place on the insulating board 11 by suitable fastening means extending through the apertures 26, and with the inclined lower surfaces 30 of the tongues 29 in firm engagement with the adjacent inclined surface 15 on the upper edges of the lower course of blocks 13. This, of course, serves to firmly secure such lower course of blocks 13 in place. Likewise, a securing strip 32 identical in every respect with the securing strip 24, may be disposed in the vertical joint between the blocks forming the lower course, and this securing strip 32 operates in the same manner as described above to further firmly secure the lower course of blocks 13 in place in tight 4 engagement with the felt or paper layer 12 on the insulating board 11.

Additional courses of blocks 13 are laid up in the same manner, with the lower edges of the second course of blocks engaging the tongues 28 on the securing strip 24-, and as such courses are laid up additional securing strips are disposed in engagement with the upper edges thereof and attached to the insulating board 11 in the manner above described. The entire wall may be laid up in the same manner for any desired height, and it will be obvious that all of the blocks will be firmly secured in place on the wall structure, and insofar as such securement is concerned, no further attaching means for the blocks 13 is necessary.

However, since the joints between the blocks 13 are open by reason of the tabs 27 of the securing strips 24 and 32, being disposed therein, obviously such joints must be filled in order to present a pleasing appearance. However, this filling of the joint is in no way necessary to secure the blocks 13 in place, but is only utilized to present a desired, pleasing appearance. These joints may be filled with mortar of the same or contrasting color as the blocks 13, or any other suitable filling material may be applied thereto, and obviously, if the joints are completely filled the tabs 27 of the securing strips 24 and 32 will be firmly imbedded in such filling material, and furthermore the same will flow into the grooves 14 and be firmly interlocked with the blocks 13; and the imbedded portions of the tabs 27 will provide metallic reinforcement for such filling material. This operates to prevent cracking or falling out of the filling material in the event of weathering or settling of the building, and furthermore, no great skill is needed for filling such joints since it is not necessary to provide a complete and permanent bond between the filling material and the blocks 13 as would be the case if such filling material constituted the only securing means for holding the blocks 13 in place.

While the tabs 27 have been shown in the drawing and described in the specification as being twisted or bent to the shape shown prior to installation of the same on the wall of the building, obviously, if desired, such tabs may be twisted and bent after installation on the wall in order to firmly secure the blocks 13 in place thereon. How ever, in most instances this manner of operation would be more diflicult to perform than would be the case if the tabs were preformed or twisted prior to application of the same to the wall structure.

It will be seen that by the above described invention there has been provided a wall structure for buildings, which to all outward appearances, comprises a masonry structure, but Where actually the blocks forming the outer surface of the fall are securely held in place by mechanical means which is not dependent in any way on the strength of mortar or other material utilized for filling the joints between the blocks forming such outer surface, and the permanence of which is not in any way affected by weathering of the joint material with a consequent loss of bond between such material and the blocks, between which such material is placed. Furthermore, the structure described above provides a convenient and economical means for facilitating the rapid and efficient erection of a building wall structure by relatively unskilled labor, and obviously the permanence, rigidity, or strength thereof is in no way affected by the skill with which filling material, such as mortar or the like, is applied between the joints formed by opposed edges of the wall blocks, such joints being only for the purpose of presenting a pleasing outward appearance and for simulating the appearance of a complete masonry structure.

Obviously, the principles of this invention are also applicable to an internal wall and may be conveniently used in rooms such as bathrooms, where tile walls are very common, and where as is well known, individual tiles frequently become loose ;due deterioration of the mortar joint, thereby causing the tile 10 fallout or crack and resulting in relatively costly repairs.

Since all of the elements or parts required ,for constructing a wall in accordance withtthis-invention may be preformed to standard dimensions, and further, since all of these parts may be utilized to construct a wall of any desired dimensions without alteration thereof, it will be seen that theconstruction of suchwallsis materially facilitatedand the costs reducedto a minimum.

It will .beobvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in .the invention without departing from the spirit and scope ,thereof, and .therefore the invention is not limited by thatwhich ,is shown in the drawing and described ,in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Wall structure comprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured to said studding members, a layer of waterproof material on said insulating board, a base strip secured to said ,board adjacent-the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, spaced tabs projecting outwardly from said strip at substantially right angles thereto, .a flange projecting upwardly from each tab at substantially right angles thereto, securing strips attached to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, .each securing strip comprising an elongated strip-of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip at .substantially right angles thereto, said last named flange being .slit at spaced intervals to provide .a plurality of .tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing -,the ,outer siding of said wall structure, each block having an inwardly extendinggroove in each edge, an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface on each edge merging into said groove, the lower course of blocks being applied to said well structure in engagement with said waterproof material with (theflanges on said .basestrip received in the grooves on the lower edges of said lower course of blocks and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues on one side of the securing strip adjacent said base strip engaging the inclined surfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same in place, succeeding courses of blocks being secured in place solely by the last men tioned tongues and the tongues on succeeding securing strips, and filling material disposed in the joints between adjacent blocks, said tongues serving to reinforce said filling material.

2. Wall structure comprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured to said studding members, a base strip secured to said board adjacent the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, spaced tabs projecting outwardly from said strip at substantially right angles thereto, a flange projecting upwardly from each tab at substantially right angles thereto, securing strips attached to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, each securing strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip at substantially right angles thereto, said last named flange being slit at spaced intervals to provide a plurality of tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing the outer siding of said wall structure, each block having an inwardly extending groove in each edge, an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface on each edge merging into said groove, the lower course of blocks being applied to said wall structure in engagement with said board with the flanges on said base strip received in the grooves on the lower edges of said lower course of blocks, and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues ,onone side of the securing stripedia en s b s str p en a n t e clined rfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same in place, succeeding courses of blocks being secured in place solely by said last mentioned tongues the tongues onsucceeding securing strips, and filling material disposed in the joints between adjacent blocks, said tongues serving to reinforce said filling material.

3. Wall structure comprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured to said studding members, a base strip secured -to said board adjacent the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, spaced tabs projecting outwardly from said strip at substantially right angles thereto, a .fiange projecting upwardly from each .tab at substantially right angles thereto, securing strips attached to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, each securing strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip at substantially right angles thereto, said last named flange being split at spaced intervals to provide a plurality of tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing the outer sidingof said wall structure, each block having an inwardly extending groove in each edge, an outwardly and downwardly nclined surface on each edge merging into said groove, the lower course of blocks being applied to said wall structure with the flanges on said base strip received in the grooveson the lower edges of said lower course of blocks, and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues on one side of the securing strip adjacent said base strip engaging the inclined surfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same inp'lace, succeeding courses of blocks being sccured in place ,solel-yby said last mentioned tongues and the tongues-on succeeding securing strips, and filling material disposed in the joints between adjacent blocks, said tongues serving to reinforce said filling material.

4-. Wall structure eomprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured :to said studding members, a base strip secured to said board adjacent the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, spaced tabs projecting outwardly from said strip, a flange projecting upwardly from each tab, securing strips attached to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, each securing strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip at substantially right angles thereto, said last named flange being slit at spaced intervals to provide a plurality of tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing the outer siding of said wall structure, each block having an inwardly extending groove in each edge, an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface on each edge merging into said groove, the lower course of blocks being applied to said wall structure with the flanges on said base strip received in the groove on the lower edges of said lower course of blocks and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues on one side of the securing strip adjacent said base strip engaging the inclined surfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same in place, succeeding courses of blocks being secured in place solely by said last mentioned tongues and the tongues on succeeding securing strips, and filling material disposed in the joints between adjacent blocks, said tongues serving to reinforce said filling material.

5. Wall structure comprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured to said studding members, a base strip secured to said board adjacent the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, spaced tabs projecting outwardly from said strip, a flange projecting upwardly from each tab, securing strips attached to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, each securing strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip at substantially right angles thereto, said last named flange being slit at spaced intervals to provide a plurality of tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing the outer siding of said wall structure, each block having an inwardly extending groove in each edge, an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface on each edge merging into said groove, the lower course of blocks being applied to said wall structure with the flanges on said base strip received in the grooves on the lower edges of said lower course of blocks and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues on one side of the securing strip adjacent said base strip engaging the inclined surfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same in place, succeeding courses of blocks being secured in place solely by said last mentioned tongues and the tongues on succeeding securing strips.

6. Wall structure comprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured to said studding members, a base strip secured to said board adjacent the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, spaced tabs projecting outwardly from said strip, a flange projecting upwardly from each tab, securing strips attachcd to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, each securing strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip at substantially right angles thereto, said last named flange being slit at spaced intervals to provide a plurality of tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing the outer siding of said wall structure, each block having an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface on each edge, the lower course of blocks being applied to said wall structure with the flanges on said base strip engaging the lower edges of said lower course of blocks and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues on one side of the securing strip adjacent said base strip engaging the inclined surfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same in place, succeeding courses of blocks being secured in place solely by said last mentioned tongues and the tongues on succeeding securing strips.

7. Wall structure comprising spaced studding members, insulating board secured to said studding members, a base strip secured to said board adjacent the lower edge thereof, said base strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said base strip, securing strips attached to said board in spaced relation to said base strip and spaced from each other, each securing strip comprising an elongated strip of metal, a flange projecting outwardly from said last named strip, said last named flange being slit at spaced intervals to provide a plurality of tabs, each of said last named tabs being twisted to provide oppositely projecting tongues and inclined lower surfaces on said tongues, and a plurality of blocks laid in courses one above the other and providing the outer siding of said wall structure, each block having an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface on each edge, the lower course of blocks being applied to said wall structure with the flange on said base strip engaging the lower edges of said lower course of blocks and with the inclined surfaces on the tongues on one side of the securing strip adjacent said base strip engaging the inclined surfaces on said lower course of blocks to secure the same in place, succeeding courses of blocks being secured in place solely by said last mentioned tongues and the tongues on succeeding securing strips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,005,030 Geisinger June 18, 1935 2,043,706 Myers June 9, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 563,445 Great Britain of 1944 

